RFU chief Bill Sweeney has threatened to move England rugby’s Twickenham home to Milton Keynes or Birmingham in a row over concerts by stars like Beyonce. Sweeney was fuming when the American megastar could not have three gigs in a row at and has told the local council he is considering the nuclear option.
The RFU have a £600million plan to redevelop the ground but that is only a runner if they are allowed to host more big non-rugby events like Spurs and Wembley do. Currently they can only have three a year, with a reduced capacity of 55,000, but are pushing to hosting 15 with a full house of 82,000.
Sweeney had explored a move to the Midlands previously or buying 50 per cent of Wembley but they were put on the backburner in favour of rebuilding the stadium – but now he is revisiting the prospect of a shift away from TW2.
Sweeney told the Business of Sport podcast: “There are plenty of places that would like to have us. Birmingham, Milton Keynes would love to have us there.
“Part of the renovation from 2027 means we are in discussions with Richmond borough council to stage more non-rugby events. For us it is three and we are only allowed one on a Friday.
“We have had The Rolling Stones. We could have had Beyoncé but she wanted three nights and we are only allowed two nights consecutively.”
Beyonce is performing for six nights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in June, which has also taken NFL games from Twickenham.
Sweeney added: “It would be a tough call for us. It would be very difficult. I don’t know how we would justify the investment in the stadium if we can’t get the increase in the event licences.”
Wembley, with a capacity of 90,000 is allowed 24 non-sporting events per year and is putting on seven Oasis gigs later this summer.
Sweeney faces a vote of no confidence at a Special General Meeting of the RFU next Thursday after the huge bonuses for him and other execs came to light recently.
